Basic Spelling Rules – The “y to i” Rule

The “y to i” Rule. Words ending in y preceded by a consonant usually change the y to i before any suffic excpet one beginning with an i.
beauty + ful = beautiful
lady + es = ladies
accompany + ment = accompaniment
accompany + ing = accompanying
Exceptions: shyness; babyhood; wryly
If the final y is preceded by a vowel, the rule does not apply: journeys, essays, obeying, repaying.